The TRiO Upward Bound program serves 66 students per year who are either from low-income households or from families where neither parent has earned a bachelor’s degree.

Eligibility

Students must be in 9th or 10th grade at the time of enrollment and enrolled in one of the following participating Philadelphia high schools: Benjamin Franklin, Edison-Farerira, or South Philadelphia.

Program Details

• Tutoring and mentoring
• Cultural enrichment activities
• College visits
• Guidance counseling
• SAT prep
• College application and financial aid instruction
• Transit tokens to and from program
• Lunch and breakfast provided
• Rewards for honor roll and perfect attendance

Academic Year: The academic year begins in October and ends in May. Students attend Saturday morning classes at the College, including math, English, an elective and a senior seminar. Additionally, the program provides tutoring after school during the week. For seniors in the program, the emphasis is on applying to college and applying for financial aid.

Summer: During the eight-week summer program (June through early August), students will receive academic instruction in math, science, English and foreign languages. Students will also go on weekly cultural trips and college visits plus, in the final week of the program and take an overnight trip. A small stipend is provided for participation in the summer program.

How to Apply

In order to apply, students must be entering 9th or 10th grade at one of the following high schools: Benjamin Franklin, Edison-Fareira, or South Philadelphia. Students must either be the first person in their family to go to college and/or must qualify as low income by the U.S. Department of Education’s guidelines.

Students must complete an application and an interview in order to qualify for the program. A complete application includes personal identification information, two teacher recommendations, a copy of the student’s high school transcript and income verification information. Once enrolled, students are expected to remain in the program until high school graduation.

Resources

New Student Application

Contact

Aimie Contarino, Director
215-751-8780